Movable shelf support mechanism



y 1969 K. M. u DONNICI ET AL 3,456,845

MOVABLE SHELF SUPPORT MECHANISM Filed Sept. 14, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIGJ ' NVENTORS July 22,1969 K. M. 1.1 DONNICI ET AL 3,456,845

MOVABLE SHELF SUPPORT MECHANISM Filed Sept. 14. 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 4! I Q a; E 4

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mvsmoas KM L/ DUNN/Cl 6. POST 3,456,845 MOVABLE SHELF SUPPORT MECHANISM Kenneth Michael Li Donnici, Brooklyn, and Gerald Post,

Kew Gardens, N.Y., assignors, by mesne assignments,

to lug. C. Olivetti & C., S.p.A., Ivrea, Turin, Italy, a

corporation of Italy Filed Sept. 14, 1966, Ser. No. 579,239 Int. Cl. B67b 7/24; B67d /64 US. Cl. 222-835 12 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The invention provides a support mechanism for developer liquid comprising a shelf sliding on a vertical shaft between a lower loading position and an upper operating position. An engaging device attached to the shelf engages with the shaft to maintain the operating position. In the operating position, a container of developer on the shelf communicates with a conduit of the developer circulating system.

In recent years electrostatic copiers have become very popular for ofiiee use. One of their particular advantages is that they require no special training for either operating the machine or keeping it supplied with copy paper and developer. In addition these supply tasks can be performed by a secretary avoiding any copier down time while awaiting service.

However, in copiers using liquid developers persons handling the developer and its replenisher have the problem of avoiding soiling their hands and clothing. The developer consists of a toner, a finely divided black powder, conveyed in a dispersant, usually an organic solvent. The replenisher is a concentrated mixture of toner and dispersant which is periodically added to the developer mix to replace the material used during the copying process. These materials can be quite messy to handle and may be particularly damaging to clothing.

At the present time disposable bottles of developer and replenisher are utilized rather than refilling the original container and returning it to the machine. Though disposable bottles are employed, difficulties have been encountered in inserting them into operating position because of the relative inaccessibility of the connections to the developer circulating system and the incompatibility of the bottle configuration and its location in the copier.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the invention to provide a movable support mechanism for a bottle of developer replenisher which is easily accessible and which facilitates the insertion and removal of the replenisher bottle in the developer circulating system.

Another object of the invention is to provide a specially shaped, sealed bottle which can be handled without any problem of spillage or leakage.

Still another object of the invention is to afford an eas ily operable means for securing the support mechanism in its operating position.

A further object of the invention is to arrange an inlet to the developer circulating system which can break the seal on the replenisher bottle and afford access to its contents by merely locating the bottle in its operating position.

Therefore, the invention provides a support mechanism for a container of developer in electrostatic copier. The support mechanism is comprised of a shelf positionable between a lower loading-unloading position and an upper operating position. The shelf slides between its upperand lower position on a vertical shaft. Forming a part of the shelf is a yoke mounted on a movable handle and engageable in a groove on the shaft to hold the shelf in its operating position. When the yoke is released from the States Patent 0 3,456,845 Patented July 22, 1969 shaft the shelf can be moved downwardly to its loadingunloading position. In the copier there is a developer circulating system which includes a stationary conduit mounted above the operating position of the shelf. A bottle of developer is situated on the shelf and arranged in communication with the conduit when the shelf is located in its operating position whereby developer may be delivered into the developer circulating system.

The various features of novelty which characterize this invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which a preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a partly diagrammatic front view of an electrostatic copier embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevation view of a portion of the copier showing the support mechanism for the bottle of developer;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the support mechanism shown in its operating position;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the support mechanism shown in its operating position, and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the bottle shown in FIG. 2.

Since its components and method of operation are well known only that portion of electrostatic copier 10, which incorporatesthe invention, is shown in FIG. 1 and is hereinafter described. The housing of the copier 10 comprises a pair of upright walls 12, 14 with a bottom wall 16 and a partition member 18 extending horizontally between them. Located on the bottom wall 16 are a roll 20 of copy paper and a container 22 of developer, while the partition member 18 supports a processing tray 24. Mounted adjacent the wall 12 is a support mechanism 26 for a bottle of developer replenisher 28.

During operation of the copier 10 the developer flows in a circulating path or system comprising a pump 30 which draws the developer through the tube 32 from the container 22 and forces it upwardly through tube 34 into reference unit 36. From unit 36 the developer flows through tube 38 and mixing member 40 to the processing tray 24. After a brief period of residence in the tray 24 the developer completes its cycle by returning via tube 41 to the container 22.

At periodic intervals, generally determined by a specified number of print cycles, the developer is checked in the reference unit 36 to determine if the density level of its toner is adequate. If the density is low a small amount of concentrated developer is withdrawn from the bottle 28 and passes through pipe 42 into the mixing member 40 where it is added to the developer circulating through the system. The concentrated developer is withdrawn from the bottle 28 by establishing a partial vacuum in the mixing member, the vacuum is achieved by using a Venturi conduit in the mixing member through which the regular flow of developer passes. Ordinarily air valve 44 is kept open so that the vacuum merely draws air into the system. However, when the reference unit signals a need for added toner the air valve is closed and a small amount of concentrated developer is sucked into the system. The density check of the developer is made at spaced intervals rather than continuously to avoid overloading the developer with toner.

The support mechanism 26 is shown in detail in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 and comprises a bracket 46 and a guide rail member 48 attached to the wall 12, the guide rail memher is spaced laterally from the bracket. A vertical shaft 50 is secured at its upper end into the bracket 46 and at 3 its lower end into the horizontally arranged partition member 18. At approximately its mid-height the shaft has an annular groove 52 and mounted on its lower end is a snubber 54.

Slidably positionable on the shaft 50 is a shelf 55 comprising a horizontally extending platform 56 having a slotted offset section 58 which rides on the vertical edge of the guide rail member 48.

Supported on the platform is a U-shaped cradle 60 with an additional horizontal section 62 located remote from the guide rail member and extending toward the wall 12. The shaft 50 passes through bushings 64 in both the horizontal section and the platform which prevent binding as the shelf is moved vertically along the shaft.

Fitted into the shelf 55 is a U-shaped handle 66 having an upwardly arranged first leg 68 passing through the platform 56 and the horizontal section 62 of the cradle. The second leg 70 of the handle extends downwardly from its bight section 72 and is free to pivot or swing in a horizontal arc about the first leg. Near the lower end of the first leg 68 and 'below the cradle 60 a horizontally positioned yoke 74 is attached to the handle. An arcuate slot 76 is formed in the yoke, see FIG. 4, of sufiicient width to fit over the shaft 50 at its groove 52 'but not wide enough to fit the remainder of the shaft. Spring 78, attached to a tab 80 bent out of the platform and to a tab 82 on the yoke, exerts a force on the yoke so that its slot 76 will engage the groove 52 when the groove and yoke are in horizontal alignment. In FIG. 4 the yoke is shown in engagement with the shaft and it is depicted in phantom in its disengaged position. Located on the handle is a spacer 84 which keeps the yoke 74 out of contact with the adjacent surface of the platform. In FIG. 4 it can be seen that the handle is located in front of the end of the shelf when the yoke engages the shaft but when the yoke is disengaged the handle is located adjacent the wall 12 clear of the end of the shelf (note the showing in phantom in FIG. 4). When the shelf is in its operating position the handle keeps the bottle in place, note FIGS. 1, 3 and 4.

In FIG. 2 a bottle 28 of replenisher, or concentrated developer, is shovm in the cradle 60; in position the bottles major dimension or length is in the horizontal direction, its height and width are, relative to its length, quite small. The bottle has a short neck 88, spaced equidistantly from its ends and sides, to which is attached a threaded cap 89, see FIG. 5. In addition to the cap, a fluid tight seal 90, as shown in FIG. 5, is disposed across the bottle opening 92 to prevent any leakage or spillage prior to and while the bottle is being inserted into the copier. The seal may be of any compatible material, such as aluminum, which will afiord an adequate seal and at the same time 'be easy to puncture.

In FIG. 2 the inlet end of pipe 42 is formed by a conduit 94 rigidly secured to the bracket 46 and in vertical alignment with the opening 92 of the bottle 2-8. The end of the conduit 94 has a pointed cutting edge 96 for puncturing the seal 90 on the bottle.

Periodically the container 22 of developer and bottle 28 of replenisher must be replaced in the copier. Since this invention is concerned only with the support mechanism for the bottle of replenisher the description of the steps involved in changing the developer will be limited to those pertaining to the replenisher. Initially, with the copier shut down, the handle 66 is pivoted from its position immediately in front of the end of the cradle 60 toward the wall 12 releasing the yoke 74 from the groove 52 and permitting the shelf 55 to be lowered from its upper operating position to its lower loading-unloading position. In FIG. 2 the bottle 28 and shelf 55 are shown in the loading-unloading position with the bottle 28 also shown dotted in its operating position. In its lower position the platform 56 rests on the snubber 54 and the bottle 86 is wholly disposed below the conduit 94. Becaus the slot 76 in the yoke 74 only fits the groove 52. of the shaft, when the shelf is lowered the yoke bears against the shaft and will keep the handle adjacent the wall 12 and clear of the end of the shelf. Next the used bottle of replenisher is removed from the shelf using the cap 89 from the replacement bottle to close the used one and thereby avoiding any leakage during its removal and disposal.

The replacement bottle of replenisher is placed to its full extent onto the shelf so that its sealed opening 92 is aligned below the inlet conduit 94. Since the replacement bottle is sealed no leakage or spillage can occur to soil the hands or clothing of the person performing these steps. With the bottle in place the shelf is lifted upwardly until the yoke 74 is in horizontal alignment with the groove 52 in the shaft and then under the action of the spring 78 the slot 76 slides over the grooved portion of the shaft securing the shelf in its operating position. As the shelf is lifted the cutting edge 96 of the stationary inlet conduit punctures the seal admitting air into the bottle and providing the conduit with access to its contents. As shown in FIG. 1 the cutting edge of the inlet conduit is located immediately above the bottom of the bottle when the shelf is secured in its operating position, plenisher can be used before replacement is again required. This arrangement of the replenisher bottle, its support mechanism and the developer circulating system provide a simple means for changing the replenisher while avoiding any possibility of leakage or spillage during its replacement.

While the support mechanism has been described in combination with the replenisher it will be appreciated that a similar arrangement may be employed for the regular developer.

While in accordance with the provisions of the statutes there is illustrated and described herein the best forms and modes of operation of the invention now known to me, those skilled in the art will understand that changes may be made in the forms of the apparatus disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention covered by the claims, and that certain features of the invention may sometimes be used to advantage without a corres ponding use of other features.

What is claimed is:

1. In a copier a developer circulating system and a support mechanism comprising:

(a) a shaft,

(-b) means for supporting said shaft in a vertical attitude within said copier,

(c) a shelf slidably positionable on said shaft between a loading-unloading position and an operating position,

(d) engaging means connected to said shelf and engageable with said shaft to engage said shelf in its operating position on said shaft,

(e) an inlet conduit located in said developer circulating system, and

(f) a bottle of developer located on said shelf and arranged in communication with said conduit when said shelf is situated in its operating position whereby developer may be delivered into said developer circulating system.

2. In a copier a developer circulating system and a support mechanism as set forth in claim 1 wherein said engaging means comprises a yoke and said shaft has a groove engageable by said yoke to engage said shelf in its operating position on said shaft.

3. In a copier a developer circulating system and a support mechanism as set forth in claim 2 wherein said yoke has a slot with a width less than that of said shaft but greater than the width of said shaft at said groove whereby the slot in said yoke is engageable only with said shaft at its groove.

4. In a copier a developer circulating system and a support mechanism as set forth in claim 3 wherein a spring connected to and between said yoke and said shelf urges the slot in said yoke into sliding engagement with the groove on said shaft.

5. In a copier a developer circulating system and a support mechanism as set forth in claim 2 wherein a handle is pivotally mounted in said shelf and said yoke is connected to said handle whereby said yoke can be pivoted into and out of engagement with the groove in said shaft.

6. In a copier a developer circulating system and a support mechanism as set forth in claim 2 wherein a vertically extending guide rail is positioned in said copier for providing, in combination with said shaft, guide means for slidably positioning said shelf.

7. In a copier a developer circulating system and a support mechanism as set forth in claim 1 wherein said shelf is horizontally disposed on said shaft for vertical positioning between a lower loading-unloading position and an upper Operating position.

8. In a copier a developer circulating system and a support mechanism as set forth in claim 7 wherein said inlet conduit is secured in a stationary location in said copier above the operating position of said shelf and extends downwardly therefrom.

9. In a copier a developer circulating system and a support mechanism as set forth in claim 8 wherein immedi ately above said shelf said inlet conduit is vertically arranged and its end adjacent said shelf is shaped to afford a cutting edge.

10. In a copier a developer circulating system and a support mechanism as set forth in claim 9 wherein said bottle is positioned on said shelf with its opening located in its top surface aligned below said inlet conduit and is arranged with its long axis extending horizontally, the height and width of said bottle being relatively small compared With its dimension along its long axis.

11. In a copier a developer circulating system and a support mechanism as set forth in claim 10 wherein said bottle has a puncturable fluid-tight seal across its opening when originally placed on said shelf in its loading-unloading position whereby upon lifting the shelf into its operating position the seal is punctured by said inlet conduit and said bottle is placed in communication with said developer circulating system.

12. In a copier a support mechanism comprising:

(a) a housing,

(b) a bracket attached to said housing,

(c) a horizontal partition located in said housing below said bracket,

(cl) a vertical shaft fitted at its upper end into said bracket and at its lower end into said partition, and having a horizontally arranged annular shaped groove disposed in its surface,

(e) a horizontally arranged shelf mounted on said shaft and guide rail and slidably positionable thereon between a lower loading-unloading position and an upper operating position,

(f) a vertically extending handle movably mounted in said shelf,

(g) a horizontally arranged yoke fitted on said handle and movable therewith, a slot in said yoke wide enough to fit over said shaft at said groove but not wide enough to fit over the remainder of the shaft,

(h) a spring connected to said shelf and yoke for urging said yoke into sliding engagement with said shaft at said groove,

(i) a developer circulating system located in said copier and comprising a stationary developer inlet conduit mounted on said bracket and depending downwardly therefrom, the lower end of said tube shaped to afford a cutting edge,

(j) a bottle of developer replenisher disposed on said shelf with its opening directly upwardly and in alignment with said conduit, said bottle having a puncturable fluid-tight seal closing its opening when a replacement bottle is initially placed on the shelf in its loading-unloading position, said seal being punctured by the cutting edge on said conduit when the shelf is raised into its operating position,

(k) said bottle arranged on said shelf with its long axis extending horizontally, the height and width of said bottle being relatively small compared with its long axis dimension, and

(1) said handle pivotable in a horizontal plane from a position as a barrier at one end of the shelf in its operating position to a position clear of the end of said shelf in its loading-unloading position wherein a depleted bottle can be removed and a sealed filled bottle inserted on the shelf as a replacement.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 844,754 2/1907 Sardou et a1 248245 XR 2,899,106 8/1959 Weinert 222-82 2,939,381 6/1960 McBride 222-82 XR 3,142,417 7/1964 Campbell 22283.5

ROBERT I. SMITH, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

